1972 Alpine Skiing World Cup

The 6th World Cup season began in December 1971 in Switzerland and concluded in March 1972 in France. Gustav Thöni of Italy won his second of three consecutive overall titles. Annemarie Pröll of Austria won the women's overall title, her second of five consecutive.

A break in the schedule in February was for the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan. Prior to the Olympics, International Olympic Committee head Avery Brundage succeeded in having two-time men's overall World Cup champion Karl Schranz reclassified as a professional and therefore ineligible for the Olympics. Schranz retired from amateur competition immediately thereafter and joined the professional skiing tour in 1973.

The controversy over "professionalism" (based on endorsements, manufacturers' fees, et cetera) continued for two more seasons, and served to limit both participation and the number of events on the World Cup circuit. Prior to the 1975 season, Brundage's successor Lord Killanin led an effort that changed the rule to permit such payments to be made to national associations, which generally eliminated such disputes.

Note: For the first time, the Olympic events no longer counted in the World Cup standings.

In Men's Overall World Cup 1971/72 the best five downhills, best five giant slaloms and best five slaloms count. Four racers had a point deduction. Gustav Thöni won the cup with only one win!

In Men's Downhill World Cup 1971/72 the best 5 results count. One racer had a point deduction, which is given in ().

In Men's Giant Slalom World Cup 1970/71 the best 5 results count. One racer had a point deduction, which is given in (). Gustav Thöni won the cup with only one win. He won his third Giant Slalom World Cup in a row!

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